Issam Fares: The time has come for Lebanon to regain its welfare through the initiation of the Syrian-Saudi understanding
Al Anwar- November 16, 2010
Former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares hoped that the ongoing deliberations between Syria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will lead to the creation of a safety net for Lebanon, providing a momentum towards establishing tranquility and maintaining general stability. This will offer the opportunity to agree on all the unresolved issues, away from pressure, mutual accusations and political conflicts that are not in the interest of any party.
In a press interview reported by “Akhbar AlYawm” News Agency yesterday, Fares indicated that the time has come for Lebanon to regain its welfare, through the initiation of the Syrian-Saudi understanding which led to the Lebanese-Syrian-Saudi summit, held recently in Beirut. He highlighted the urgent need for unity among all Lebanese regardless of their affiliations, especially since the region is witnessing difficult and dire circumstances, due to Israel’s continuous obstinacy and its responsibility for freezing the peace process in the Middle East. This position gives an excuse for extremism which contradicts our desire for moderation and adopting a calm speech that guarantees the collective common life among the Lebanese, which is the only option.
Fares mentioned that moderation is a necessity for us. It provides us with the useful climate to continue the dialogue which requires from all parties to be responsible and act with wisdom to protect the national partnership in Lebanon. The basis is recognizing each other in spite of the divergence on many issues. This should not be hard if we acknowledge that Lebanon is enough for its entire population.
Achieving a just peace
Fares hoped that this year will witness the resolution of the problems in the region with an open and new spirit that pushes for achieving a just peace and delivers us from the misery that surrounds us from all sides and tries to discourage us. He emphasized on the unity of the Lebanese and their awareness of the lurking dangers due to the obstacles on the road to peace in the Middle East.
He stated that resorting to the use of force to resolve differences will only increase the crisis. This is what should be recognized by Israel and the international community that should exercise pressure to force Israel to give up its settlement expansion policy.
He underlined that Lebanon and especially the North reject sectarian turmoil and fanaticism as well as disputes that do not serve any interest. We need to save our country to face the consequences of the halt of the peace process and insist on the application of international resolutions, mainly the 194 that stipulate the right of the Palestinian to return to their land and prohibits their settlement. He indicated the need for a sovereign and independent Palestinian state that stops the suffering arising from the displacement and marginalization of the Palestinian people inside their land and in the diaspora. He reiterated his support for the Arab peace initiative launched by Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abed El Aziz at the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002 and adopted by the Arab leaders and the international community. He considered that we are placing a lot of hope on the Arab or International efforts aiming at finding a breakthrough in the peace process, especially that all the unilateral peace efforts have failed.
Fares mentioned that the national agreement produced by Lebanese Deputies in Taef is the only regulator of the relations between all the political parties in Lebanon, mainly because it seeks the maintain and the strengthening of the democratic system without any objection to the development of our political institutions to make them more democratic in order to satisfy the needs of our people and provide the solutions to the problems.